The Wessex League Is Won….In An FA Boardroom!

A league title has been won this afternoon – without a ball being kicked!

The Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division champions are Portland United following the news that Moneyfields have had their appeal against a points decision rejected by the Football Association.

They played a suspended player back in January – and the league this afternoon confirmed that they have lost their appeal.

That means Portland jump into first place, days after the season ended.

Wessex League competition secretary John Gorman said before the hearing: “Until that hearing is heard, we can’t even make any sort of arrangements to try and present the trophy.

“The last thing we want as a league is to give somebody something and have to take it back again.

“We can understand the position both clubs are in, in slight fairness to the FA, the season is not supposed to end until April 30. We made a conscious decision that we would get our fixtures finished by April 23.

“We regret it as much as anybody but we can’t do anything about it,” he told Dorset Echosport.

Blues boss Gary Bailey said: “It’s not ideal but our focus has to be on trying to win the final game. At the end of the day, if we don’t manage to do that, it could all be immaterial anyway.

“I don’t want this to be a side bar that detracts us from trying to finish the job off.

“We will try our best to get our job done and then the powers that be will make the decision when they make it.”